With this template, however, you’ll be able to land spots on almost any site with relative ease.

Subject: “Really appreciate this post” or “Care for free content?”

“Hey, [their name]!

I’m a huge fan of [their blog]. I just wanted to reach out because I’ve really been enjoying your writing. In fact, I accomplished [something cool] from reading your blog post: [link to their blog post].

I know you’re busy, so I won’t waste your time. I’m reaching out because I had some ideas I think the [their blog name] audience would positively love, and I was wondering if you’d be open to a guest blog post.

Here are the titles:
[Title 1]
[Title 2]
[Title 3]

To give you an idea of my writing style, here are two of my best posts:
[Your post with the most shares]
[Your best-written post]

Thanks for your time and consideration! I can’t wait to hear back from you.

Cheers,
[Your name]”

It’s simple, straightforward, personal, and compelling. Fill in the blanks, and send it out.

2. Claim easy backlinks by fixing broken links

Backlinks are the pillars of SEO. Without them, you’ll never rank, no matter how good your content. (At least until Google’s algorithms change.)

Broken link building is a well-known strategy for getting relatively easy backlinks. It works by finding broken links on a site you’d like a backlink from, then emailing the site owner to let them know about the broken link.

(And, of course, suggesting they add your own, working link.)

There are a number of online and desktop tools to make finding them as simple as entering a URL. A few good ones to try include:

Once you’ve got a list of great blogs to contact, send them Brian’s template:

“Hey, [their name],

I was on the hunt for information on [topic] this morning when I came across [their URL].

I really like that you [talked about something important, emphasized something, explained something].

I actually just put together an infographic on [topic].

As someone who writes about [topic] quite a bit, I thought you might get a kick out of it.

Let me know if you want to check it out.

Cheers,
[your name]”

5. Promote your blog before you even publish it

The single biggest mistake I see new – and even established – bloggers make is that they don’t take enough time to promote their blog posts. In fact, many high profile influencers suggest promotion takes a bigger chunk of time than even creation. Derek Halpern of Social Triggers recommends an 80/20 split.
Are you doing that?

With this method, you can almost guarantee traffic before you even hit publish… or before you even type a single word!

I also said you can use this method before ever typing a word. It’s a great way to see if a topic will be popular. If very few people get back to you, it could mean it’s a bad topic or they’re not interested.

Once you’ve published the post, send an email to the people who said yes:

“Hi [their name],

I just wanted to let you know that the post I talked about last week is live.
[URL]

I’d really love to get your feedback. Would you mind leaving a comment on the post?

Thanks!
[your name]”

I like to ask for a comment and feedback because, if they had a hand in sculpting the post, they’re likely to share. If you want, you can ask for a direct share instead.

6. Post-publish promotion made easy

What if you didn’t reach out to anyone before your post went live? Are you doomed?

Not at all. You can still ask for the share. It just might not be quite as effective.

On the plus side, you can send it to more people than just your initial influencers. You can also send this email to anyone who has an interest in your topic, like people and sites in “shoulder niches.”

“Hey, [their name],

I noticed you’re really interested in [topic]. I’d even wager to say you’re something of an SEO expert.

I was wondering if you’d mind taking a look at a post I just published about [topic]:
[URL]

Could you please give me a little feedback on the post? I’d really appreciate you leaving a comment.

Either way, keep up the great work!

Cheers,
[your name]”

7. Landing a podcast, guest spot or interview? Use this template

Becoming a guest on my first podcast was one of the most satisfying feelings I’ve ever had.

It makes you feel, for lack of a better word, legit. Like a hot shot.

Plus, it’s a great way to build brand awareness, be seen as an authority, drive traffic, and even get backlinks for SEO. Four birds, one stone.

I know you’re a busy man/woman, so I’ll get right to the point. Whenever I find myself researching [topic], it’s your name that keeps popping up. I especially loved your recent [post/interview/round table/article] on [topic]. It taught me [something interesting or unusual that you took away from it].

I have a [subject or niche] podcast, and I’d love to interview you for an upcoming episode. You’re exactly the type of guest that my audience of [average monthly listeners] loves.

If you’re interested in checking it out, this is one of my most popular episodes:
[Link to podcast]

I understand your free time is limited, so I’d be happy to work around your schedule.

When would be a convenient time to chat? Either way, keep up the great work that you do. Thanks.

10. Get real survey data with this template

Even if you aren’t writing a post, survey results can help you learn a lot about your customers. They can improve your marketing, advertising, conversion copywriting, and the all-important customer experience.

The problem lies in getting people to take the damn survey. You have to find potential participants, then find a way to get them to donate a few minutes of their time.

But where there’s a will, there’s a way. Let thy will be done with this email:

“Hey, [their name],

I’m reaching out because I noticed [something related, like their interest in your topic].

It seems like you really know your stuff.

In fact, I’d really love to get your input on [topic]. I put together a survey in order to [reason].

Could you please spare a couple of minutes to take the survey so I can get your insight?
[URL]

Either way, thanks for your time.

Cheers,
[your name]”

11. Generate loads of feedback and product reviews

If you’re in the eCommerce world, product reviews are massively important.

Your website’s design is amazing! The visuals really enhance your message and the content compels action. I’ve forwarded it to a few of my contacts who I think could benefit from your services.

When I was looking at your site, though, I noticed a mistake made re: search engine optimization. It’s a relatively simple fix. Would you like me to write it up so that you can share it with your web team? If this is a priority, I can also get on a call.

Regards,
[Your name]”

Make yourself not just known, but invaluable. The type of friend we all need.

14. Warm ‘em up and sell ‘em

Now that you’ve warmed up those cold leads, it’s time to ask for the sale. Or for the contact info for the person who has the authority to purchase.

Here’s a template for that:

“Hey, [their name],

I hope you’re doing well. I see you’ve [published a post, done something interesting]. Great stuff!

I was doing some research this morning and noticed you [have a need for our product/aren’t doing X/could benefit from Y].

I actually sell [product or service] that can help you with that.

(Optional) Can you point me in the direction of [sales department/person who handles purchasing]? I promise to be brief and helpful.

Either way, keep up the great work! And let me know if there’s anything I can do to [help you with goal].

Cheers,
[your name]”

15. Get prospects on the phone with ease

What if your product or service is more intricate and can’t be sold in a simple email?

You need to get those prospects on the phone. And I have just the trick for that, too:

“Hey, [their name],

I hope you’re doing well. I see you’ve [published a post, done something interesting]. Great stuff!

I was doing some research this morning and noticed you [have a need for our product/aren’t doing X/could benefit from Y].

My company actually works with people like you to help them achieve [goal].

Would you be interested in a brief call to see if we can help you grow your business? I promise to take up no more than 15 minutes.

Let me know if you’re available at:

[Date & Time]

[Date & Time]

[Date & Time]

Either way, keep up the great work.

Cheers,
[your name]”

16. A phone call follow-up email to win clients

You got ‘em on the phone and they seem promising. Now it’s time to lay down the finishing touch. Send this email:

“Hi [their name],

It was great chatting with you earlier today and learning more about how you [role] at [company].

I understand the issues you’re facing with [challenges discussed in conversation] and how they make it harder to [do X discussed in call].

As discussed, I’ve attached more information about our resources and how we can help you [achieve a goal] and solve [business problem].

Let me know if you have any additional questions and I’d be more than happy to chat again or follow up with an email. If not, I look forward to talking again on [date and time].

Parting Words of Advice

Cold email outreach is one of the best ways to get shares, interviews, and sales. They just work.

With these outreach templates, you’ll be WAY ahead of the competition in a fraction of the time.

One word of advice: make sure you customize your emails when you send them. Don’t sound like a robot and people won’t instantly hit delete.

Oh, and one last tip…

If they don’t answer your first email, don’t give up!

Always follow up. Always. Most acceptances happen in the follow up.

Sometimes people are just busy that week, or meant to respond and forgot, or didn’t see it in the first place for some reason.

What should you say?

Aaron Orendorff, a guest blogging master and founder of IconiContent, recommends you just resend the exact same email as if they never got the first one. This is because sending a follow up telling them they missed the last email is a little disrespectful.

While that’s not always the case, I do agree that simply resending the same email is a good way to go. If they’re interested, they’ll respond. Or, you can use these follow up techniques.

Aaron recommends you don’t follow up more than once… I’d follow up twice, personally. The choice is yours. Some advocate following up with value-added emails until you get the response.

Now go be a hustler, send those emails, and grow your business like never before.

(And, in case you need a tool to automate these templates and make your life easier, check out MailShake. We’re pretty cool.)